Kitchen remodel

Harbor & Pine Renovation

62/100

Moderate clarity risk

Estimate clarity, not contractor quality

What this estimate says

The estimate identifies the major rooms and a total price, but several expensive choices remain allowances, half of the contract is due before work starts, and the finish date is open. Clarify these items in writing before comparing this bid with another.

Quoted total: $48,750
Deposit: $24,375 at signing
Timeline: Start within 30 days; no completion target

Sample data created to demonstrate the report format.

Findings

7 details to review before signing.

PaymentHigh

Half of the total is due at signing

The schedule requests $24,375 before work begins, followed by two broad payments. The estimate does not tie each payment to a visible completion milestone.

Ask: Can the payment schedule be tied to completed milestones and delivered materials?

MaterialsHigh

Cabinet selection is an open allowance

The cabinet line gives one allowance without naming the manufacturer, door style, finish, hardware, delivery, or installation assumptions.

Ask: Which cabinet line, construction, finish, hardware, delivery, and installation are included in this allowance?

TimelineMedium

There is no target completion date

The estimate says work may start within 30 days after materials arrive but does not provide a duration or completion target.

Ask: What start window and substantial-completion target will appear in the contract?

Change ordersMedium

Changes can proceed without a stated approval method

The estimate mentions additional work but does not say that price and schedule changes require the homeowner’s written approval first.

Ask: Will every scope, price, and schedule change require a written change order before the work begins?

ExclusionsMedium

Electrical panel work is excluded but not priced as an option

The bid excludes panel upgrades even though the appliance plan may affect electrical capacity. The cost and decision point are unknown.

Ask: Can you confirm whether the planned appliances require panel work and price that work separately if needed?

CleanupLow

Daily cleanup is not defined

Final debris removal is included, but dust control, floor protection, and daily cleanup are not described.

Ask: What dust protection, floor protection, daily cleanup, and final cleaning are included?

ScopeGood

Demolition and disposal are named

The estimate clearly includes removal of the existing cabinets, counters, backsplash, and listed appliances, plus final debris haul-away.

Ask: Please keep this inclusion in the final contract.

Missing or unclear

Named cabinet and hardware specifications
Countertop square-foot allowance and edge profile
Milestone-based payment schedule
Target completion date
Written change-order approval requirement
Dust-control and daily-cleanup plan

Questions to ask

Can the payment schedule follow completed milestones?
Which cabinet line, hardware, finish, delivery, and installation are included?
What is the expected start window and completion target?
Will every change require written approval before extra work begins?
Who determines, obtains, and closes required permits?
What labor and material warranties will be written into the contract?

Compare another bid on the same terms

Match demolition and disposal scope
Normalize cabinet and countertop allowances
Compare fixed prices separately from allowances
Compare payment milestones
List exclusions and owner-supplied items
Compare schedule and warranty terms

Note to your contractor

Thanks for the estimate. Before I sign, could you please revise it to name the cabinet line, finish, hardware, countertop allowance, and included installation; tie payments to completed milestones; add an expected start window and completion target; and require written approval for changes before extra work begins? Please also confirm permit responsibility, dust protection, cleanup, and the labor and material warranties. I want to make sure we are working from the same scope. Thank you.

This sample demonstrates a document review. It does not verify local prices, laws, contractor credentials, or workmanship.